The sciatica nerve goes from the lower back into your legs; when it gets pressed by something, such as a slipped disc, or a bone spur, you suffer from sciatica. Sciatica may cause a burning sensation, weakness, numbness, or pain. Some people may feel like a pin or needles, while others may say it feels like an electric shock or getting stabbed by a knife. 

The passage of time is one of the best treatments sometimes. It may not be something you want to hear when you suffer from sciatica, but it often works. You must wait and see for some time. 

Getting Relief From Sciatica 

There are various ways by which you can get relief from sciatica nerve pain. Some of them include the following:

  • Standing up – A little extra pampering may always be for you, but you must stay on your feet for a short time. Getting too much bed rest can weaken your muscles. If you don’t feel up to your usual workout, it’s always wise to listen to your body’s signals. But you must make sure not to sit for too long, so the pain that you may be experiencing may get worse. 

 

  • Keep moving – If your pain is not too severe, it is a good idea to stretch. You need to try to stretch your lower back since that’s the place where something may be pinching your sciatica nerve. You must prefer to go out for short work and do any other physical activity you may feel up to. 

 

  • Heat things or cool them down – Hot and cold are opposites, but they can be very helpful in keeping you comfortable. Cold treatment is usually one of the best for treating any injury that has just occurred. But after 24 hours have passed from the occurrence of the injury, doctors typically suggest switching to heat. You can use an ice pack wrapped in a towel or a heating pad for about 15-20 minutes at one time. While doing this, you must be careful not to burn your skin.

 

  • Try over-the-counter medications – NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can be very helpful in easing down your pain or bringing down the inflammation. You must take the drugs unless your doctor gives you some special instructions. 

 

  • Seek a doctor’s prescription – If home remedies don’t help you treat sciatica, you must approach a doctor for help. The doctor may prescribe various meds, such as muscle relaxers and higher-strength NSAIDs, to help you feel better. Anti-seizure drugs such as gabapentin may also prove to be helpful for some people. 

 

  • Working with a physical therapist – Physical therapy can be beneficial in correcting your posture or strengthening the muscles in your lower back. The therapists would create a treatment program that may include various therapies and exercises to provide faster relief from the pain or inflammation. A physical therapist may also suggest specific exercises that may be done at your home to treat the pain and prevent certain problems in the future. 

 

  • Trying acupuncture – Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that has started to get respect from the mainstream doctors of western countries. It was due to the benefits that acupuncture can provide to a patient practicing it. There has been some research that says it can prove to be better than other traditional treatments for treating sciatica. However, you must do this under the guidance of a licensed practitioner or a therapist to avoid any risk associated with this form of treatment. 

 

  • Take yoga classes – Yoga may not be able to treat sciatica pain completely, but it may be helpful for you in providing certain relief. Research shows that it may reduce your pain and let you move around more easily. Try a type of yoga named Iyengar yoga that emphasizes good posture. 

 

  • Getting a massage – A professional rubdown is not just about relaxation. Research proves that massage therapy can be beneficial in relaxing if you suffer from sciatica pain. It also helps blood flow, which encourages your body to heal. Find a therapist specializing in back pain who can work some assisted stretching into your session. 

 

  • Reduction of stress – The pain isn’t only in your head, but the emotions can play a greater role. Stress may lead the muscles to stress down and thus makes the pain may get worse. Biofeedback, which shows you how your thinking and behavior affect your breathing and heart rate, might offer some relief. You could also try cognitive behavioral therapy to get better relief. 

Conclusion

Usually, sciatica pain is not a very dangerous situation. But sometimes you should call your doctor in the very proper way. There are various causes of sciatica pain, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, etc., which can be treated well with multiple techniques or exercises of physical therapy. You may contact a certified physical therapist for sciatica pain relief to guide you with the proper techniques and methods for relieving sciatica pain.